Eagle Falls Work Will Enhance Water Quality and the Visitor Experience

Segment 43 "Eagle Falls BMPs"
Air date: 11/25/03
Anchor Intro: The Eagle Falls trailhead located near Emerald Bay is one of the most
visited spots in the Lake Tahoe Basin. But, the recreation facility is in danger of being
loved too much. In tonight's Lake Tahoe report, Shelly Purdy takes a look at plans to
renovate the site.
((Take Pkg))
((Track 1)) It may be the off season, but plenty if people are still visiting the Eagle Falls
Trailhead. They come here to hike, use the restroom facilities, picnic and sightsee. But
over the years, the impact of millions of visitors to this site has made its mark. The picnic
area was originally built next to the creek to give diners a meal with a view.
((sot @ 22:00ish Rex Norman, United States Forest Service)) "It makes a beautiful
location but the amount of foot traffic that's taken place in there have caused a lot of
problems."
((S/U @ 29:49, Shelly Purdy)) "If 40-50,000 people visit this popular recreation facility
every year?that comes out to about 80-100,000 footprints all trampling this very
sensitive area next to the river."
((Track 2)) The soil has become so compacted that water can no longer filter through it.
Dirt, grime and oils run right off the parking lot, through a series of old drainage pipes,
across the picnic area and into the creek?which flows directly into the lake at Emerald
Bay. That's why this facility will soon be getting a complete overhaul.
((sot @ 22:52)) "We have to look at the whole area comprehensively. The parking area
with the old asphalt will be removed and a whole new drainage system will be designed."
((sot @ 23:22)) "The old restroom facility which is reaching the end of it's lifetime is
gonna be replaced with a much more efficient and better vault system."
((Track 3)) And a transit turnaround will be built making it easier for busses and trolleys
to bring visitors to the area. Construction begins next year. With the lake Tahoe
environmental education coalition, I?m Shelly Purdy for kolo news channel 8.
Anchor Tag: The Eagle Falls Trailhead will also be made ADA accessible. In next
week's Lake Tahoe Report, Shelly takes a look at what the bears are doing this time of
year.

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Segment 43 "Eagle Falls BMPs"
Air date: 11/25/03
Anchor Intro: The Eagle Falls trailhead located near Emerald Bay is one of the most
visited spots in the Lake Tahoe Basin. But, the recreation facility is in danger of being
loved too much. In tonight's Lake Tahoe report, Shelly Purdy takes a look at plans to
renovate the site.
((Take Pkg))
((Track 1)) It may be the off season, but plenty if people are still visiting the Eagle Falls
Trailhead. They come here to hike, use the restroom facilities, picnic and sightsee. But
over the years, the impact of millions of visitors to this site has made its mark. The picnic
area was originally built next to the creek to give diners a meal with a view.
((sot @ 22:00ish Rex Norman, United States Forest Service)) "It makes a beautiful
location but the amount of foot traffic that's taken place in there have caused a lot of
problems."
((S/U @ 29:49, Shelly Purdy)) "If 40-50,000 people visit this popular recreation facility
every year?that comes out to about 80-100,000 footprints all trampling this very
sensitive area next to the river."
((Track 2)) The soil has become so compacted that water can no longer filter through it.
Dirt, grime and oils run right off the parking lot, through a series of old drainage pipes,
across the picnic area and into the creek?which flows directly into the lake at Emerald
Bay. That's why this facility will soon be getting a complete overhaul.
((sot @ 22:52)) "We have to look at the whole area comprehensively. The parking area
with the old asphalt will be removed and a whole new drainage system will be designed."
((sot @ 23:22)) "The old restroom facility which is reaching the end of it's lifetime is
gonna be replaced with a much more efficient and better vault system."
((Track 3)) And a transit turnaround will be built making it easier for busses and trolleys
to bring visitors to the area. Construction begins next year. With the lake Tahoe
environmental education coalition, I?m Shelly Purdy for kolo news channel 8.
Anchor Tag: The Eagle Falls Trailhead will also be made ADA accessible. In next
week's Lake Tahoe Report, Shelly takes a look at what the bears are doing this time of
year.